Charles Barkley Announces that the upcoming season will be his final season on TV

Charles Barkley announced on the NBA Finals postgame show that next season will be his last on TV, regardless of what happens with the NBA’s media deals. Barkley, a Hall of Fame player, has spent the last 24 years working as a studio analyst for TNT. However, TNT could lose the rights to broadcast NBA games after next season.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s media deals, Barkley has made it clear that he will not be following the league wherever it goes. He stated his commitment to staying with TNT during the NBA Finals postgame show. The NBA’s current deals with ABC-ESPN and Turner Sports are set to expire after next season, prompting discussions with networks such as NBC, ESPN, and Amazon about future broadcasting rights.

Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his hope that new long-term deals will be finalized soon. The cast of the popular “Inside the NBA” studio show, including Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith, have addressed their uncertain future on air. While Barkley’s experience and insights would make him a valuable asset to any NBA broadcasting network, he has decided that next season will be his last on television.

Barkley, at 61 years old, has chosen to “pass the baton” to a TNT teammate, potentially Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford. He emphasized that next season will mark the end of his TV career, regardless of the outcome of the NBA’s media deals. After 25 years as a studio analyst, Barkley is looking forward to the next chapter of his career.